Psalms 94:11
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This psalm was penned when the church of God was under hatches, oppressed and persecuted; and it is an appeal to God, as the judge of heaven and earth, and an address to him, to appear for his people against his and their enemies. Two things this psalm speaks: - I. Conviction and terror to the persecutors (Psa 94:1-11), showing them their danger and folly, and arguing with them. II. Comfort and peace to the persecuted (Psa 94:12-23), assuring them, both from God's promise and from the psalmist's own experience, that their troubles would end well, and God would, in due time, appear to their joy and the confusion of those who set themselves against them. In singing this psalm we must look abroad upon the pride of oppressors with a holy indignation, and the tears of the oppressed with a holy compassion; but, at the same time, look upwards to the righteous Judge with an entire satisfaction, and look forward, to the end of all these things, with a pleasing hope.
Open source ↗94:11 While the Lord’s thoughts are deep, people’s thoughts are worthless (cp. 92:5; 1 Cor 3:20).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.